American Racket (Dance Company) features the sights and sounds of one of our, well, noisiest traditions... American Clogging and percussive dance! Productions feature some of the finest dancers in the country in a celebration of (loud) living traditions. These dancers have represented the United States in Brazil and Costa Rica and have opened for artists cuch as Bill Cosby, Sugar Ray, Ted Koppel, Dane Cook, Kenny Lovelace, and Wayne Brady. American Racket is a guaranteed toe-tapping, hand-clapping good time for all and a celebration of what young adults are doing to revive and reinvent the dance culture of the United States.

For Information, contact:
Andy Howard, Director / Choreographer
(352) 494-0104
email: Andy Howard, Director

Upcoming Shows:

August 29-31, 2008 - with Capital City Cloggers in Reedy Creek, Manitoba (Canada)
October 4, 2008 - Clogging Workshop - (Jacksonville, FL)
October 24-26, 2008 - American Clogging Hall of Fame - (Maggie Valley, NC)
December TBA - Turning Pointe Holiday Performance (Orlando, FL)
January 30, 2009 - Orange County Principal's Breakfast (Orlando, FL)
January 30 - 31, 2009 - Clogging Workshop - (LaBelle, FL)
February 15 - 10:30 AM "American Racket - Live And Kickin'" (Free, UnitedArts ArtsFest, Orlando, FL)
February 17 - American Camp Association Convention (Coronado Springs Resort, Walt Disney World)
February 28, 2009 - South West Florida Fair (Fort Myers, FL)
March 31, 2009 - Arts in April at Highlands Preparatory School (Orlando, FL)
April 18 - Indian River Cloggers' "Pow Wow" Workshop (Merritt Island, FL)
April 18 - White Party at Parliament House Resort (Orlando, FL)
June 7, 2009 - Turning Pointe Dance Recital (Orlando, FL)




Links:
American Racket Videos on YouTube

American Racket on MySpace

Become an American Racket fan on Facebook

American Racket Cloggers Perform at ArtsFest - Sunday 2/15/09

American Racket Cloggers
10:30 AM; Sunday, February 15, 2009
Walt Disney Amphitheatre at Lake Eola Park, Downtown Orlando, FL
(N. Rosalind Ave. between E. Jefferson St. and E. Washington St. on the west end of Lake Eola)
Free, Open To Public

Who knew American history could be so noisy?!  The American Racket Cloggers will be offering a free public performance on Sunday, February 15, 2009, at 10:30 AM at the Walt Disney Amphitheatre on Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando.  The troupe has developed a solid reputation for its modern take on back-home entertainment, featuring young, energetic professional dancers that kick up the “amp” on standard southern comforts.  They have won numerous national titles and have served as cultural ambassadors, representing US culture at festivals in Costa Rica, Brazil, and Canada and have shared the stage with great American acts including Bill Cosby and Sister Hazel.  Their performance is free to the public, sponsored by United Arts of Central Florida as part of ArtsFest.  Don’t leave anybody behind—this show is suitable for all ages!  A+ for youth friendly and even some audience participation.  ”Hootin’ and hollerin’” isn’t only allowed, it’s encouraged!

American Racket Cloggers10:30 AM; Sunday, February 15, 2009Walt Disney Amphitheatre at Lake Eola Park, Downtown Orlando, FL(N. Rosalind Ave. between E. Jefferson St. and E. Washington St. on the west end of Lake Eola)Free, Open To Public

American Racket Cloggers
10:30 AM; Sunday, February 15, 2009
Walt Disney Amphitheatre at Lake Eola Park, Downtown Orlando, FL
(N. Rosalind Ave. between E. Jefferson St. and E. Washington St. on the west end of Lake Eola)
Free, Open To Public


American Clogging - WMFE-TV feature on Andy Howard and the American Racket Cloggers

American Racket Cloggers featured on this video produced by Andy Howard.

So much to do in Central Florida!   Get out there and enjoy the culture!

American Racket Cloggers - Festival Gigue En Fete 2008

American Racket Cloggers - Festival Gigue En Fete 2008

American Racket Cloggers Featured at Orlando Weekly’s “Best Of” Party
(Firestone Night Clug, Orlando, Florida - July 17, 2008)
Andy Howard, Dustin Stephan, and Dalita Diaz de Arce

Paul Melville, Dalita Diaz de Arce, Andy Howard (director), and Erin Hughes are among the American Racket dancers that performed at Festival Gigue en Fete in Sainte-Marie, Quebec, June 23-30, 2008.

Paul Melville, Dalita Diaz de Arce, Andy Howard (director), and Erin Hughes are among the American Racket dancers that performed at Festival Gigue en Fete in Sainte-Marie, Quebec, June 23-30, 2008.


“Sainte-Marie is under the spell of American Racket.”
— Pierre-Luc Lafrance
Journal de Beauce-Nord
Sainte-Marie, Quebec
American Racket’s Paul Melville, Danielle Buice and Andy Howard (director) exchange gifts with Festival Gigue En Fete’s President Bruno Vachon and Sainte-Marie Mayor Harold Guay.

American Racket’s Paul Melville, Danielle Buice and Andy Howard (director) exchange gifts with Festival Gigue En Fete’s President Bruno Vachon and Sainte-Marie Mayor Harold Guay.


17 dancers of American Racket represented eight U.S. states in Sainte-Marie, Quebec.   June 23-30, 2008

17 dancers of American Racket represented eight U.S. states in Sainte-Marie, Quebec.   June 23-30, 2008


“American Racket of Florida lived up to its reputation. The group, bursting with energy, won over the audience with its clogging… American Racket stole the show with a furiously fast performance that knew no idle time.”
— Pierre-Luc Lafrance
Journal de Beauce-Nord (Sainte-Marie, Quebec)
July 4, 2008

American Racket will entertain at Orlando Weekly's "Best Of" Party

(From Orlando Weekly):

We are bringing it, yet again.  Orlando Weekly’s BEST OF ORLANDO PARTY 2008! 


So, I’m sure you are curious as to what this party is offering. Well, here is a collage of awesome from last year’s party. On top of all the faboo entertainment, you get free food, free booze and the chance to rub elbows with Orlando’s elite. And by elite, we mean OW staffers, local politicians, drag queens, Roller Derby chicks and maybe that dude with the mowhawk.


The party will be Thursday, 7/17 from 7pm to 10pm at Firestone. If you aren’t lucky enough to score some tickets, swing by after 10 when the club opens up to all for the Offcial Best of AFTER PARTY.

BABY BLUE STAR’S ‘GO LOUNGE’ TO FEATURE AMERICAN RACKET ON JUNE 11


This one’s for our adult friends, 18 and up (alcohol served).


American Racket is the featured art group at the June 11 edition of popular nightlife promoter and entertainer Baby Blue Star’s ‘Go Lounge’.  Blue’s vision for “a night of creative flow featuring the talents of local artists” inspired the evening series which has become a place “where artistic worlds collide”, hosted in the Majestic Theatre at Revolution Nightclub.  

Live music by Barnstorm (Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar, and Bass).  Clogging performances by American Racket and solo performance (even some improv percussive dance) by individual dancers such as Andy Howard.
 
What:  American Racket and Barnstorm Band featured at Baby Blue Star’s “Go Lounge”
Who:  18 + to enter; 21 + to drink
When: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 (10:00 PM – 2:00 AM)
Where:  Majestic Theatre; Revolution Nightclub; 375 South Bumby Avenue; Orlando, FL
Cost:  Free to enter.  Donations accepted.

Photo by Julie Milford

Photo by Julie Milford